BENTONVILLE, USA – The worlds largest retailer, Wal-Mart has entered the hi-end cycling business. Today’s top seller at Wal-Mart’s cycling department is a US$ 79.64 (€ 54.65) Huffy cruiser bike. But this retail giant also offers a new, all-carbon, Italian-crafted bike with Shimano Ultegra components for only US$ 1,900 (€ 1,303).
The Corsa FC carbon fiber road bike is built with a high quality Shimano Ultegra drivetrain and Shimano 105, ITM, Ritchey and Sella Italia components. According to Wal-Mart they work directly with a factory in Italy and only minimal assembly is required at home.
Until now, Wal-Mart has been a competitor for IBD’s in the low to mid range. With the Corsa FC they enter a new segment which could endanger the future of the local bike shops. Wal-Mart runs about 1,000 shops in the USA and more than 2,500 spread over 13 countries worldwide. Every week some 176 million people visit Wal-Mart stores worldwide.
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